Systems, methods and apparatus for property defect management

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided that utilize GPS mapping and a web-based data management as a platform for defining, measuring and tracking aspects of a building or grounds. Trackable objects can be captured on location utilizing GIS positioning and a mobile device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/095,138, filed on Dec. 3, 2013, entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR PROPERTY DEFECT MANAGEMENT” which claims the benefit ofU.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/735,308, filed on Dec.10, 2012, entitled “PROPERTY DEFECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD,” andU.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/783,938, filed on Mar.14, 2013, entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROPERTY DEFECTMANAGEMENT,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Parking lots, driveways, and roadways are generally in a constant stateof deterioration. Over time, numerous types of defects appear and thenworsen. Example defects include block cracking, broken curbs, fatiguecracking, potholes, rutting, and the like. Moreover, buildings and theirsurrounding grounds tend to deteriorate, become damaged, over time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be more readily understood from a detaileddescription of some example embodiments taken in conjunction with thefollowing figures:

FIG. 1 depicts a system flow diagram of an example property defectmanagement system.

FIG. 2 depicts an example interaction between a surveyor and a handhelddata collection device.

FIG. 3 depicts an example map generated in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an example table of reference numbers and defect types.

FIG. 5 depicts a portion of an example table of treatments.

FIG. 6 depicts a portion of a report generated in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 7-8 depict example functionalities of the report illustrated inFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 depicts an example maintenance, repair, reconstruction (MRR) costtable.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example graph that can be generated by a propertydefect management system.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrates an example simplified maintenance budgetsummary and an interaction therewith depicting the iterative deferringof costs.

FIGS. 12A-12B depict an example bid form generated by a property defectmanagement system.

FIG. 13 depicts and example content management system user interface.

FIG. 14 depicts example user interfaces of the content management systemon a mobile device, such as a smartphone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now bedescribed to provide an overall understanding of the principles of thestructure, function, and use of the property defect management systemsand methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limitingembodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those ofordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methodsspecifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated ordescribed in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combinedwith the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modificationsand variations are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one exampleembodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,”“some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment”, or “in anembodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particularfeatures, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitablemanner in one or more embodiments.

Throughout this disclosure, references to components or modulesgenerally refer to items that logically can be grouped together toperform a function or group of related functions. Like referencenumerals are generally intended to refer to the same or similarcomponents. Components and modules can be implemented in software,hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The term softwareis used expansively to include not only executable code, but also datastructures, data stores, and computing instructions in any electronicformat, firmware, and embedded software. The terms information and dataare used expansively and can include a wide variety of electronicinformation, including but not limited to machine-executable ormachine-interpretable instructions; content such as text, video data,and audio data, among others; and various codes or flags. The termsinformation, data, and content are sometimes used interchangeably whenpermitted by context.

The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided toassist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems, andmethods described herein. None of the features or components shown inthe drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for anyspecific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices,systems, or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. Forease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods maybe described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure tospecifically describe a combination or sub-combination of componentsshould not be understood as an indication that any combination orsub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described,regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flowdiagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified orrequired by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of stepsperformed in the execution of a method does not imply that those stepsmust be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed ina different order or in parallel.

Example embodiments described herein can include a geographic overlaysystem (GOS) as well as an information system, a mapping systeminterface to communicate with a database of buildingenvelope/infrastructure defects that can include private or publicproperty geographic boundaries and data files. The GOS can utilize aclient/server model that streams geographic data layers inside a clientbrowser. The GOS can employ a dynamically rendered vector-based maplayer inside a client browser. The GOS can employ property building andgrounds specific defects which can be captured utilizing GISpositioning, communications, and mobile devices that can accuratelyidentify point, line or polygon objects. A database interface can enableusers to organize data into a predictive analytical budgeting tool formaintenance, repair, and reconstruction (MRR) treatment activities. Insome embodiments, the treatment activities can be organized into anautomated Request For Quotation (RFQ) template.

The systems and methods describer here can further promote geographicbundling of projects and generate job leads for greater contractorparticipation in the MRR market place. RFQs can be deployed into areverse-auction purchasing platform. GPS/GIS technology can allowtracking of projects through a secure cloud portal. Project to portfoliostatus maps and dashboards can enhance user experience.

While many of the example embodiments are described in the context ofpavement defects, this disclosure is not so limited. As is to beappreciated, the systems and methods described herein have applicabilityacross a wide variety of environments and operational platforms. By wayof example, the systems and methods described herein can be used inconnection with any suitable property, such as fencing, patios,lighting, bridge decks, parking garages, building façades, sidewalks,confirming ADA compliance, HVAC, windows, and so forth.

Depending on the application, the particular types of defected (or othertypes of data, issues, or points of interest) collected by the systemwill vary. Below are example types of data that can be collected andanalyzed for various operational environments. For asphalt-relatedapplications, data can collected and analyzed related to fatiguecracking, potholes, ponding, sinkholes, and so forth. Forconcrete-related applications, data can be collected and analyzedrelated to meander cracking, spalling, transverse slab cracks, curbingproblems, and so forth. For landscaping-related applications, data canbe collected and analyzed related to plant condition, mulching,slode/drainage, irrigation, and so forth. For roofing, data can becollect and analyzed regarding leaks, cracks, missing shingles, gutters,chimneys, and so forth.

As described in more detail below, the systems and methods describedherein can utilize GPS mapping and web-based data management to providea platform for parking facility safety, maintenance, and repair. Incertain embodiments, systems and methods are designed for facilitymanagement personnel, or other suitable users, such as propertymanagers, contractors, and so forth. Generally, the systems and methodsdescribed herein can define, measure, analyze, improve and control thesupply chain process for facility management. For example, the systemsand methods described herein can improve organizational productivity andcan reduce the cost in terms of time and money associated withmaintenance, repair and reconstruction (MRR) projects. Moreover, certainembodiments can help generate a facility management plan that can, forexample, provide savings year over year on facility MRR. Moreover, humanresource costs can potentially be reduced.

As a non-limiting example, additional details will now be provided inthe context of example parking facility surveys. As is to be readilyappreciated, generally analogous techniques can be used for otherenvironments, such as building structures, landscaping, roadways, campusgrounds, and so forth. As such, while the embodiments described beloware in terms of identified “defects,” other embodiments utilizing thepresently disclosed systems and methods can identify other types ofpoints of interest to the user. In any event, in accordance with certainembodiments, a surveyor operating handheld data collection device canwalk a parking facility to visually identify defects, or other issues ofinterest. Upon coming across a defect, the surveyor can use the handhelddata collection device to collect geospatial information regarding thedefect, and, in some case, a digital imagery (such as a photographand/or video) of the defect. Through interactions with the softwareexecuting on the handheld data collection device, the surveyor canidentify the particular type of defect and provide an assessment ofseverity. The survey data can then be provided to a central computingsystem for further processing, analysis, and reporting, as described inmore detail below.

FIG. 1 depicts a system flow diagram 100 of an example property defectmanagement system 102 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.The system flow diagram 100 includes three general phases, a pre-surveyphase 130, a surveying phase 140, and a reporting phase 160, each ofwhich are described in more detail below.

The property defect management system 102 is configured to communicatewith various entities to provide and receive data and to generateseveral types of reports and documents that can be useful to a user. Theproperty defect management system 102 can be provided using any suitableprocessor-based device or system, such as a personal computer, laptop,server, mainframe, or a collection (e.g., network) of multiplecomputers, for example. The property defect management system 102 caninclude one or more processors (e.g., 104) and one or more computermemory units (e.g., 106). For convenience, only one processor 104 andonly one memory unit 106 are shown in FIG. 1. The processor 104 canexecute software instructions stored on the memory unit 106. Theprocessor 104 can be implemented as an integrated circuit (IC) havingone or multiple cores. The memory unit 106 can include volatile and/ornon-volatile memory units. Volatile memory units can include randomaccess memory (RAM), for example. Non-volatile memory units can includeread only memory (ROM), for example, as well as mechanical non-volatilememory systems, such as, for example, a hard disk drive, an optical diskdrive, etc. The RAM and/or ROM memory units can be implemented asdiscrete memory ICs, for example.

The memory unit 106 can store executable software and data, such thatwhen the processor 104 of the property defect management system 102executes the software, the processor 104 can be caused to perform thevarious operations of the property defect management system 102, such asreceive information from computer devices, process defect data andtreatment data, and generate budgetary tools, as discussed in moredetail below. Data used by property defect management system 102 can befrom various sources, such as from database 108, third party datasources 114, and/or other types of electronic data stores. The database108 can include defect database, a treatment database, pricing database,or any data that can be useful to the system. The data stored in thedatabase 108 can be stored in a non-volatile computer memory, such as ahard disk drive, a read only memory (e.g., a ROM IC), or other types ofnon-volatile memory. Also, the data associated with the database 108 canbe stored on a remote electronic computer system, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the property defect management system 102 caninclude several computer servers. For example, the property defectmanagement system 102 can include one or more web servers (e.g., 110)and application servers (e.g., 112). For convenience, only one webserver 110 and one application server 112 are shown in FIG. 1, althoughit should be recognized that this disclosure is not so limited. The webserver 110 can provide a graphical web user interface through whichusers of the system can interact with the property defect managementsystem 102. The web server 110 can accept requests, such as HTTPrequests, from clients, and serve the clients responses, such as HTTPresponses, along with optional data content, such as web pages (e.g.,HTML documents) and linked objects (such as images, etc.).

The application server 112 can provide a user interface for users who donot communicate with the property defect management system 102 using aweb browser. Such users can have special software installed on acomputing device 132 or 164 that allows them to communicate with theapplication server 112 via a communications network. Such software canbe downloaded, for example, from the property defect management system102, or other software application providers.

Although FIG. 1 depicts a limited number of elements for purposes ofillustration, it can be appreciated that the property defect managementsystem 102 can include more or less elements as well as other types ofelements in accordance with the described embodiments. Elements of theproperty defect management system 102 can include physical or logicalentities for communicating information implemented as hardwarecomponents (e.g., computing devices, processors, logic devices),executable computer program instructions (e.g., firmware, software) tobe executed by various hardware components, or a combination thereof, asdesired for a given set of design parameters or performance constraints.

Interactions with the property defect management system 102 for aparticular property can generally occur in phases. In a pre-survey phase130, a user (such as property owner, facilities manager, and so forth)can interact with the property defect management system 102 using acomputing device 132. Computing device 132 can be any suitable type ofcomputing device can be used to interact with the property defectmanagement system 102, such as laptop computers, desktop computers,mobile communication devices, tablet computers, smartphones, netbookcomputers, and the like.

In some embodiments, pre-survey data 134 can be transmitted to theproperty defect management system 102 in response to questions presentedto the user by a pre-survey questionnaire. Generally, the pre-surveydata 134 can be used to capture client objectives. In some embodiments,the pre-survey data 134 is captured through a web-based interface or anapplication-based interface provided by the computing device 132. By wayof the pre-survey questionnaire, priorities are set for each segment ofa property. Priorities, names of segments, and other profiling data canbe stored by the property defect management system 102 in suitabledatabases 108. In one embodiment, the pre-survey questionnaire can bedesigned to collect vital information about the project building andgrounds. The questionnaire can be performed with the person who is mostfamiliar with the current building and grounds conditions (generallyreferred to herein as a “user”). The information collected by thepre-survey questionnaire can include dumpster locations, known buildingand grounds defects, facility labels, facility priorities, and trafficconditions, and so forth. This can help to better process and representthe field data collected by the surveyor. In addition to gatheringinformation from the user, information can also be gatheredelectronically, can be gathered using API's from various sites, and canotherwise be collected in any suitable manner from third party datasources 114. In some embodiments, during the pre-survey questionnaire,images and descriptions of the different defects are provided by theusers via the computing device 132.

As is to be readily appreciated, the particular information soughtduring the pre-survey questionnaire will vary across applications. Forparking facilities, for example, the questionnaire may request thelocations of dumpsters or areas of heavy traffic. Other types ofproperty applications can request other types of data from the user. Insome embodiments, the user completing the survey can supply a responsevia an interactive map presented by the property defect managementsystem 102 on the computing device 132, such as by selecting aparticular area with a cursor or otherwise indicating a particulargeographic area. Other relevant information can also be indicated on aninteractive map by the use, such as water intrusion, potholes, varioustypes of cracking, faded building and grounds markings, ponding on andoff building and grounds, raveling, rutting, settlement, shoving,sinkholes, tree root damage, damage to utility structures, and so forth.

If a user has a particular naming convention for various portions offacilities, such information can be provided and stored by the propertydefect management system 102. As described in more detail below, thenames of the various portions of the facilities (such as Road1, Road2,etc.) can be used when the property defect management system 102generates various reporting documentation, such as budgeting documentsand RFQs. Additionally, priorities for various portions of thefacilities can be stored by the property defect management system 102,as identified by the user. These priority values can be used todetermine the facility management plant. In the context of a parkingfacility, high traffic areas may be considered a high priority. In thecontext of landscaping, certain mulch beds or flower beds may beconsidered high priority due to their locations on a property, or forany other reason. In any event, the priority can be stored by the systemas numerical value.

Once the property defect management system 102 has stored theinformation from the pre-survey questionnaire, then field surveying, asshown by surveying phase 140 in FIG. 1, can be commenced at a property.A surveyor can operate a handheld data collection device 144 to collectgeospatial information regarding identified defects of the property 142.Defects can be classified and severity noted, as described in moredetail below with regard to FIG. 2. While the type of defects collectedand identified will vary based on application, for parking facilityimplementations, defects can be classified according to a standardbuilding and grounds Condition Rating Scale, or according to any othersuitable rating system. For example, in certain embodiments, defectconditions can be logged in accordance with ASTM Standard D6433-11,entitled “Standard Practice for Roads and Parking Lots PavementCondition Index Surveys”, using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI)method of quantifying pavement condition. Generally PCI methodology is anumerical indicator that rates the surface condition of pavement. PCIprovides a measure of the present condition of the pavement based onvisual recording of the type, extent and severity of pavement distressin each section. It provides an objective and rational basis fordetermining maintenance and repair needs and priorities. PCI methodologyrelies on a field survey of defects taken from sample segments toprovide a normalized score allowing for a quick comparison of segmentcondition. Based on the number of sample units in the total section, acertain number of these units are selected to be tested. Using thetechniques described herein, however, 100% of a particular property, orat least a high majority of a property, can be surveyed, with identifieddefects inventoried and rated to give a user high confidence ratings inthe data collected. Based on the ratings of data collected, specifictreatment strategies which are generalized into three categories(Maintenance, Repair, and Reconstruction), as described in more detailbelow.

The handheld data collection device 144 can be any suitable device, suchas a GNSS handheld mapping device, smartphone, tablet computer, and thelike. The handheld data collection device 144 can be utilized for GISdata collection and mapping that can operate with the GOS. The handhelddata collection device 144 can communicate with satellites 146 such thata path 148 traveled by the surveyor can be tracked and logged. Thehandheld data collection device 144 can include various components forallowing a user to interact with its software, such as a display forpresenting the user interface and a keypad for inputting data and/orcommands. The handheld data collection device 144 can include othercomponents for use with one or more applications such as a stylus, atouch-sensitive screen, keys (e.g., input keys, preset and programmablehot keys), buttons (e.g., action buttons, a multidirectional navigationbutton, preset and programmable shortcut buttons), switches, amicrophone, speakers, an audio headset, a digital camera, a digitalvideo recorder, and so forth. Through the interface, the surveyor caninteract with the handheld data collection device 144.

The handheld data collection device 144 executes software that generallygives a user the ability to wirelessly capture, edit and storequalitative and quantitative data at a specific location at the property142. As is to be appreciated, the software can be customized for anybuilding envelope and infrastructure type, including the type of defectsthat can be logged. Individual defects can be measured quantitatively,with attributes associated with each particular defect type. Digitalimagery of each defect can also be collected to document its presentcondition. Digital imagery can generally include still photographs,videos, thermal imagery, and any other form of imagery useful for aparticular application.

In some embodiments, measuring the geographic shape and location of thedefect can be performed by marking the location of a point defect,walking the length of a linear defect, or walking the perimeter of apolygon defect while the handheld data collection device 144 records thepath. Depending on the type of defect, the software of the handheld datacollection device 144 can request supplemental information from thesurveyor.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example interaction between a surveyor 170and the handheld data collection device 144 is illustrated. The surveyor170 is positioned at the property 142 and operating the handheld datacollection device 144 to collect survey data regarding defects. Asillustrated, the property 142 has a curb defect 172 (i.e., a lineardefect), a pot hole defect 174 (i.e., a point defect) and a fatiguecracking defect 176 (i.e., a polygon defect). To log data regarding thefatigue cracking defect 176, the surveyor 170 walks the perimeter of thedefect while the handheld data collection device 144 geospatially trackshis movements. Before, during, or after completing the path around the afatigue cracking defect 176, the software operating on the handheld datacollection device 144 displays a list of defects 178, or otherwiseallows the surveyor to identify the defect that is being surveyed. As isto be readily appreciated, the particular defects that are found withinthe list can vary based on application. In the illustrated embodiment,the surveyor selects fatigue cracking 180 from the list of defects 178.Such selection can be made through any suitable input means, such asusing a touch sensitive screen of the handheld computing device, akeyboard, a stylus, and so forth. Next, the surveyor recordsquantitative and qualitative attributes 182 of the defect. Examplequantitative and qualitative attributes can include, a depth of pothole,the width and density of cracks, and so forth. Other observations canalso be logged, such as visibility of painted lines. Each defect can beassigned a severity level (i.e., 1-4) and stored by the handheld datacollection device 144. A digital imagery of the defect 184 (such as aphotograph and/or video) can be collected by the handheld datacollection device 144 using an onboard camera and associated with thegeospatial data collected. In some embodiments, imagery is collectedwith a device separate from the handheld data collection device 144,such as by a thermal imaging device, and provided to the property defectmanagement system 102. Geospatial data, quantitative data, qualitativedata, and photographic data (generally referred to as “survey data”) canbe stored by the handheld data collection device 144 for each defectfound during the survey.

Referring again to FIG. 1, subsequent to a survey, the survey data 150is then transmitted to the property defect management system 102 forprocessing. In the some embodiments, the handheld device can communicatewith the property defect management system 102 through a suitable datacommunication network, such as a 3G/4G cellular network and/or awireless network, to supply the survey data to the property defectmanagement system 102 in real time or near-real time. In otherembodiments, a disk or memory card can be removed from the handheld datacollection device 144 and read by the property defect management system102.

Generally, the data collected during the surveying process can beorganized and managed by the property defect management system 102 usinggeodatabases (GDB). Certain embodiments can utilize a geographicinformation system (GIS) that can be comprised of a GIS database thatcan allow for a central location for data repository for the spatialdata collected from the global navigation satellite system. Duringprocessing of the survey data 150, relational databases can be generatedthat are stored by the property defect management system 102 that linkdata collected in the field with data used to create a cost summaryand/or other types of reports. Examples of linked data include, but arenot limited to, repair type by defect/severity, unit cost by repairtype, and extended cost by defect. The list of linked data can varybased on building envelope, infrastructure type, among other factors. Incertain embodiments, the relational database can be configured for useby a budgeting module that can be utilized by a user. Additional detailsare provided below regarding a user's ability to access this data, suchas through a mobile computing device.

Processing the survey data can comprise layering the defects onto a mapof the property at the appropriate geolocational positions. The map canhave various regions labeled according the naming convention of theuser, or any other naming convention. As example map is depicted in FIG.3. The map can have a base map layer that is, for example, an aerialimage of the property and one or more data layers that includesgraphical indications of the various defects. Each defect appearing onthe map can include optionally viewable data, such as a defect name,severity, priority, location, a photograph of the defect, and so forth.As is to be appreciated, the particular format or style in which defectsare presented on the map by the property defect management system 102may vary. In certain embodiments, defects are presented on the map in acolor coded format such that similar defects are presented as the samecolor. In some embodiments, the property map along with the defects isviewable on an interactive map, such as provided by Google® Earth. Insome embodiments, data regarding the defects are combined using KeyholeMarkup Language (KML), although this disclosure is not so limited. TheKML files may be compressed (i.e., to a .kmz file) for distribution to auser. In other embodiments, the mapping data is generally maintained bythe property defect management system 102 and selectively accessible bya user. In any event, the map can present the individual defects asinteractive elements, such that when a user activates (i.e., clicks onthe interactive element) information regarding that defect is presentedto the user. Other types of menus and commands can be provided to theuser to allow, for example, viewing of a particular type of defect, viewby severity, view by priority, and so forth. The maps can be presentedon any suitable viewing device, such as a facility manager's smartphone,for example. Example interfaces for a smartphone are discussed in moredetail below with regard to FIG. 14. As a user views the map on acomputing device, the map is presented to scale with defects appearingon the map in the appropriate scale. Furthermore, the mapping data canbe converted into various formats, such as CAD format, for use bydigital estimating software.

The property defect management system 102 can create a wide variety ofreports, such as a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), a Maintenance,Repair and Reconstruction (MRR) Threshold, inventory of defects and avirtual tour of all properties in a portfolio can be provided to helpwith decision making, as illustrated by reporting phase 160 in FIG. 1.Some or all of the reporting 162 may be viewable on a computing device164. The computing device 164 can be any suitable device, such as alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a mobile communication device,tablet computer, smartphones, netbook computer, and the like. In someembodiments, computing device 132 and computing device 164 are the samedevice. The computing device 164 can execute an application, sometimesreferred to as an “app,” that allows a user of the computing device 163to communicate with the property defect management system 102. Throughthis app, a user can view maps showing surveyed defects, view andinteract with budgeting data, view photos of defects, for example, asdescribed in more detail below with regard to FIG. 14.

In some embodiments, in order to generate reporting documentation 162,each type of defect is given a reference number that is used by thesystem for tracking purposes. An example table of reference numbers anddefect type that is applicable to a parking facility defects is depictedin FIG. 4. It is noted that the particular defects listed in the tableof FIG. 4 can correspond with the available defects the surveyor can usewhen cataloging defects during the site survey illustrated in FIG. 2. Inaddition, the property defect management system 102 can store arecommended treatment list for each defect at each level of severity.The recommended treatment can be further characterized by property size,climate, or any other factors. A portion of an example table oftreatments is depicted in FIG. 5. In the illustrated table, treatmentsare provided for minor, moderate, major, and structural levels areseverity. Again, in the illustrated embodiment, they are the categoriesa surveyor can use when cataloging defects during the site survey. Otherseverity levels, or ways of segregating types of treatments for a defect(or other surveyed issue), can be used without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure. The table of treatments can also includeprice breakdowns based on materials, labor costs, regions of thecountry, volume, and so forth.

Generally, through use of the reporting provided by the property defectmanagement system 102, costs associated with parking facilitymaintenance, repair and reconstruction (MRR) can be reduced. Namely,through processing the data collected by the surveyor, user preferences,and data collected from other sources, the system can recommend afacility management plan based on ownership objectives, current buildingand grounds conditions, and financial resources available to treat thoseconditions. The report may be useful as an immediate project planningtool as well as a multi-year predictive management tool. Through thedata processing and reporting functionality of the property defectmanagement system 102, observations, recommendations, and next steps canbe provided to a user, as described in more detail below.

Merely by way of example, in one embodiment, observations can includesegment designations and priority overviews, a defect overview, a defectheat map, an individual facility overview, a Google® Earth Virtual TourSample, and defect photos. Example recommendations can include an MRRthreshold, an extended pricing summary, an immediate defect map a Year 1defect map, a Year 2 defect map, a Year 3 defect map, a cost analysis,and a service maintenance cost analysis. Example next steps can includea sample bid form, a sample of repair specifications, a budget tool.

The reporting 160 can be provided by the property defect managementsystem 102 in an electronic format. A portion of an example report isdepicted in FIG. 6. All building and grounds defects are listed for theuser to filter, sort and analyze the impact of unlimited differenttreatment scenarios. Filter and sort tools are built-in to simplify theprocess of evaluating multi-year budgets. Additional examplefunctionality of the report is depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, althoughother functionality can be provided without departing from the scope ofthe current disclosure.

Data processing can also be used to generate specific tables that conveythe costs associated with various defects. In some embodiments, asdepicted by the example maintenance, repair, reconstruction (MRR) costtable shown in FIG. 9, an overview of the financial costs can beseparated by priority (i.e., the rows) and by the type of treatmentneeded (i.e., the columns). The data provided in the various cells ofthe MRR cost table can be based on the survey data 150, the pre-surveydata 134 and pricing per defect information. FIG. 10 illustrates anexample graph that can be generated by the property defect managementsystem 102 that conveys the overall status of various segments of afacility based on their weighted percentage of defects. The graph 1000includes a maintenance band 1006, a repair band 1004, and areconstruction band 1002. While the thresholds between the bands areillustrated at 5% and 15%, other embodiments can use differentthresholds. The illustrated graph visually conveys the weighted defectpercentage for a plurality of segments of an example parking facility,namely Lot 1A, Road 3, Road 1B, Road 2A and Road 2B. The names of thesegment can be provided by the user as part of the pre-survey data 134(FIG. 1). The numerical indication is the segment's relative priority.The weighted defect percentage can be determined by the property defectmanagement system 102 using a table similar to the table 1020illustrated in FIG. 10. The table 1020 includes each segment's totalsquare footage (as determined by aerial maps or surveying, for example)and square footage for various types of defects (as determined by asurveyor walking the perimeter of the defect while operating a handhelddata collection device). The table 1020 can combine various types ofdefects across a particular segment to determine a weighted defectpercentage for the segment. Therefore, the graph 1000 provides a visualoverview of the relative condition of particular segments of a facilityand also conveys a recommended course of action for that segment, namelyto perform maintenance, perform repair, or to perform reconstruction onthe segment. While note shown in FIG. 10, the property defect managementsystem 102 can also convey other information, such as the percentage ofsegments in each category. The particular graph and table illustrated inFIG. 10 are merely to convey one example technique for conveying defectinformation to a user in a way that should be easy to interpret and usefor decision making. Other embodiments, can present the information indifferent arrangements, or using different presentation techniques,without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,some embodiments present the processing information in accordance withPCI ASTM D6433-11 standard, as described above. Nevertheless, analyticssimilar to those shown in FIG. 10 can graphically convey the percentageof a property that is in Maintenance, Repair, or Reconstruction as adecision making tool.

The property defect management system 102 can also provide aninteractive budget summary to a user for display on a computing device,such as computing device 164 (FIG. 1) for example. In some embodiments,the interactive budget summaries include a maintenance budget summary, arepair budget summary, and a reconstruction budget summary. FIGS.11A-11D depict an example simplified interaction with a maintenancebudget summary 1100. As is to be readily appreciated, the maintenancebudget summary 1100 has been greatly simplified for the ease ofexplanation and illustration. Maintenance budget summaries generated inaccordance with the presently disclosure, especially for corporationsmanaging a large number of facilities, will be more complex than thesimple example budget summary presented herein. Nevertheless, thetechniques described below for eliminating budget variances and otherlong term budgetary planning can be used with such complex andmulti-faceted budgets.

Referring now the FIG. 11A, the line items in the example maintenancebudget summary 1100 are separated by priority and year. The particularamounts listed in the summary can be based on the type of defectidentified during the survey, the size of the defect, the price toaddress the defect, and so forth, as indicated by the $2000 entry inYear 1. The particular defects that are included in any particular yearcan be based on, for example, the treatment schedule delineated in FIG.5 and based on the rating of the particular defect. In other words, theproperty defect management system 102 can generally “auto populate” thismaintenance budget summary 1100 based on the survey data, userpreferences, treatment schedules, and other parameters. Using the drilldown button 1110 a user can see a reporting of the various defects thatare associated with each line item, as well as a comprehensive summaryof each defect. Therefore, through interactions with the maintenancebudget summary 1100, a facility manager can view recommended treatmentsover a multi-year period, based on real-word data, with each line itemsupported by additional reporting, such as defect photographs. Suchinformation can be accessed via any suitable computing device, such asvia a web browser or a dedicated application that is executed on asmartphone, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 11B, a user can supply a budgetary information tothe system. For the ease of explanation, a budgetary amount of $4000 isshown for Year 1. It is to be appreciated, however, that a user cansupply budgets for more than one year, or supply budgets for otherperiods of time (i.e., quarterly budgets). In the illustrated example,since the system has recommended that $4,500 worth of repairs beperformed in Year 1 and the budget for the same time period is $4000, a$500 variance is identified on maintenance budget summary 1100. Inaccordance with the present disclosure, a user may interact with themaintenance budget summary 1100 using the interactive elements 1102(shown as an increase button 1104 and a decrease button 1106) to havethe system reduce, or eliminate the budgetary variance. Generally,through iteratively moving lower priority treatments to different budgetyears, the system can attempt to reduce the expected spend for aparticular year. In some embodiments, each time a user selects thedecrease button 1106 for a particular line item, the lowest prioritytreatment associated with that treatment is moved to the next treatmentyear. Thus, each time user “clicks” the decrease button 1106, anothertreatment is moved from one yearly budget to a different yearly budget.FIGS. 11C-11D illustrate an example deferral of a treatment to solve forthe $500 variance utilizing the decrease button 1106. Referring first toFIG. 11C, in order to remedy the variance in the budget, the userselects one of the cells and then select the decrease button 1106. Inthe illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11C, cell 1108 has beenselected by the user. Upon receiving the “decrease” command the propertydefect management system 102 will attempt to defer treatments of one ormore defects to another year. In some embodiments, defects having lesspriority are moved out of the currently selected budget year first,thereby leaving defects with higher priorities in the originallyrecommended year. FIG. 11D depicts the maintenance budget summary 1100after one example iteration. As shown, the variance for Year 1 has beenaddressed by moving a repair for $500 into Year 2. If the firstiteration would not have solved the variance, the user could haverepeatedly used the decrease button 1106 while having various cells inthe Year 1 column selected until an acceptable budget was reached.Instead of moving defects to subsequent years using the decrease button1106, the process can be generally reversed using the increase button1104.

It is also noted that while in the illustrated embodiment, the $500action item was moved to Year 2 in the maintenance budget summary 1100,in some situations, deferring a repair to a subsequent year may movethat particular defect to a different budget summary. For example, adefect can be considered a maintenance issue in the current year, but ifthere is a delay in addressing the issue, it can turn into a repairissue. As such, the cost associated with addressing the issue may riseif the user chooses to defer that defect. The property defect managementsystem 102 beneficially can track such information and convey it to theuser so that the user can make educated budgetary considerations forimmediate needs, the current year and many years to come.

As is to be readily appreciated, in certain embodiments, thefunctionally offered by the increase button 1104 and a decrease button1106 can be alternatively provided using different types of interactiveelements. For example, some embodiments can use graphical sliders,dials, or other types of interactive elements.

Once the user is satisfied with the budget, the user can selecting thedrill down button 1110 in order to view a detailed breakdown of the lineitems presented in the maintenance budget summary 1100. Using thisfeature, the user can have the system generate an itemized list of therecommended action items to address the defects noted during the survey.

If it is determined that a user wishes to have contractors bid onaddressing particular defects, the property defect management system 102can facilitate the creation of a bid packet comprising bid forms andaccompanying materials. The bid form can generally be a spreadsheet thatis saved from budget tool spreadsheet. Maps of each segment, asgenerated by the property defect management system 102 showing defectschosen for repair, can be included in the packet. The maps are to scaleto accurately reflect the property and the identified defects. The mapscan be in appropriate format to allow for a contractor to utilizedigital takeoff estimating software. Additionally, instructions forbidder along with repair specifications for each type of repair listedon bid form. An example bid form for a particular set of defect repairis depicted in FIGS. 12A-12B. Various parts of the bid form can beautomatically populated. The description of work included in the “WorkDescription” column can be pulled from the example table of treatmentsdepicted in FIG. 5, as described above. The “Units”, typically expressedin square feet or linear feet, can be based on the geospatial datacollected by the surveyor during the field survey, as shown in FIG. 2.Generally, the property defect management system 102 can facilitate thegeneration of scope of work documents, such as, bid forms andspecifications, based on actual surveyed defects to standardize thepurchasing process for facility maintenance personnel.

In other embodiments, the property defect management system 102 can hosta content management system (CMS). FIG. 13 depicts an example userinterface 1300 of a CMS in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.The user interface 1300 can be viewable on a smartphone, tabletcomputer, mobile device, desktop computer, and the like. Generally, theCMS can allow various users, such as property managers, administrators,clients, and contractors to view certain data. For example, propertymanagers can upload bid forms (such as the bid form illustrated in FIGS.12A-12B) to the CMS. Contractors can then download the bid form andaccompanying information, such as digital maps and repairspecifications. The contractor can then fill out pricing for each repairtype area identified on the bid form and upload the populated bid formspreadsheet back to CMS. The property manager can view populated bidforms and compare pricing.

In accordance with present disclosure, the CMS can be used to facilitateother types of bidding. For example, a property manager can engage in areverse auction using the bid form, where contractors bid against eachother for a particular duration of time, with the lowest bid winning thecontract. In other embodiments, the CMS can be used to facilitate “crowdsourcing,” where multiple contractors work together to generate a singlebid for a particular job. The CMS can also facilitate group purchasing,where multiple property owners collaborate to seek quotations forsimilar types of work. For example, two retail establishments that arephysically situated close to each may both be in need of an overlay.Instead of individually seeking bids for the work, the two retailestablishments can collaborate through the CMS to seek contractors toperform both overlays as part of a single job, thereby benefiting fromthe synergies that come with larger scale jobs. The CMS can be used tomanage such reverse auction, crowd sourcing, and group purchasingscenarios. In yet other embodiments, the CMS can facilitate asoftware-as-a-server lead generation platform. For example, as bid formsare uploaded to the CMS by users, contractors can pay a membership fee,or other type of fee, to have access to the bid forms. The system cantrack profiles of member contractors and route bid forms fittingcontractor parameters to the various member contractors.

FIG. 14 depicts example user interfaces of the CMS for display on asmartphone in accordance with non-limiting examples. The interfaces canbe displayed by an application executing on the smartphone in thecommunication with the property defect management system 102. Screen1402 is a home screen that gives the user various options, such as viewthe user's profile, view quotes, view maps, view phones and viewreports. Screen 1404 is a profile screen which generally allows a userto view company information, property information, among other data.Screen 1406 allows the user to view quotations, grouped by property.Screen 1408 allows a user to view and interact with scaled maps thatvisually present defects and the property. The user can use filteringtools to restrict the type of information displayed on the map. Screen1410 allows the user to view imagery, such as photos/videos, ofparticular defect that were captured by the surveyor with the handhelddata capture device. In some embodiments, the user can capture images ofdefects and send the defects to the property defect management system102 as a geo-tagged image file. Thus, if a user is at a property andnoticing a particular defect, they can capture imagery of the defectwith the camera on their smartphone (such as with a photo and/or video)and transmit the imagery to the system for further processing. Screen1412 presents a listing of available defect reports for variousproperties. Screen 1414 depicts a messaging platform built into theapplication and screen 1416 depicts various setting which can becontrolled by the user.

In general, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatat least some of the embodiments described herein can be implemented inmany different embodiments of software, firmware, and/or hardware. Thesoftware and firmware code can be executed by a processor or any othersimilar computing device. The software code or specialized controlhardware that can be used to implement embodiments is not limiting. Forexample, embodiments described herein can be implemented in computersoftware using any suitable computer software language type, such as,for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. Such softwarecan be stored on any type of suitable computer-readable medium or media,such as, for example, a magnetic or optical storage medium. Theoperation and behavior of the embodiments can be described withoutspecific reference to specific software code or specialized hardwarecomponents. The absence of such specific references is feasible, becauseit is clearly understood that artisans of ordinary skill would be ableto design software and control hardware to implement the embodimentsbased on the present description with no more than reasonable effort andwithout undue experimentation.

Moreover, the processes described herein can be executed by programmableequipment, such as computers or computer systems and/or processors.Software that can cause programmable equipment to execute processes canbe stored in any storage device, such as, for example, a computer system(nonvolatile) memory, an optical disk, magnetic tape, or magnetic disk.Furthermore, at least some of the processes can be programmed when thecomputer system is manufactured or stored on various types ofcomputer-readable media.

It can also be appreciated that certain portions of the processesdescribed herein can be performed using instructions stored on acomputer-readable medium or media that direct a computer system toperform the process steps. A computer-readable medium can include, forexample, memory devices such as diskettes, compact discs (CDs), digitalversatile discs (DVDs), optical disk drives, or hard disk drives. Acomputer-readable medium can also include memory storage that isphysical, virtual, permanent, temporary, semipermanent, and/orsemitemporary.

A “computer,” “computer system,” “host,” “server,” or “processor” canbe, for example and without limitation, a processor, microcomputer,minicomputer, server, mainframe, laptop, personal data assistant (PDA),wireless e-mail device, cellular phone, pager, processor, fax machine,scanner, or any other programmable device configured to transmit and/orreceive data over a network. Computer systems and computer-based devicesdisclosed herein can include memory for storing certain software modulesused in obtaining, processing, and communicating information. It can beappreciated that such memory can be internal or external with respect tooperation of the disclosed embodiments. The memory can also include anymeans for storing software, including a hard disk, an optical disk,floppy disk, ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), PROM(programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM) and/or othercomputer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media, as usedherein, comprises all computer-readable media except for transitory,propagating signals.

In various embodiments disclosed herein, a single component can bereplaced by multiple components and multiple components can be replacedby a single component to perform a given function or functions. Exceptwhere such substitution would not be operative, such substitution iswithin the intended scope of the embodiments. The computer systems cancomprise one or more processors in communication with memory (e.g., RAMor ROM) via one or more data buses. The data buses can carry electricalsignals between the processor(s) and the memory. The processor and thememory can comprise electrical circuits that conduct electrical current.Charge states of various components of the circuits, such as solid statetransistors of the processor(s) and/or memory circuit(s), can changeduring operation of the circuits.

Some of the figures can include a flow diagram. Although such figurescan include a particular logic flow, it can be appreciated that thelogic flow merely provides an exemplary implementation of the generalfunctionality. Further, the logic flow does not necessarily have to beexecuted in the order presented unless otherwise indicated. In addition,the logic flow can be implemented by a hardware element, a softwareelement executed by a computer, a firmware element embedded in hardware,or any combination thereof.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modificationsare possible in light of the above teachings. Some of thosemodifications have been discussed, and others will be understood bythose skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suitedto particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited tothe examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number ofapplications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in theart. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention to bedefined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for pavement defect tracking,comprising: a pavement defect management computing system, the pavementdefect management computing system comprising at least one processor andnon-transitory computer readable medium having instructions storedthereon which when executed by the at least one processor cause the atleast one processor to: store a plurality of different treatmentapproaches in a memory; receive survey data gathered by a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) handheld mapping device carried by auser at a paved property, wherein the survey data comprises geospatialinformation and classification information for each of a plurality ofpavement defects of the paved property, wherein the classificationinformation comprises an identification of the pavement defect as alinear pavement defect or a polygon pavement defect; and wherein thegeospatial information identifies a geographic path of travel of theGNSS handheld mapping device while carried by the user at the pavedproperty, wherein for a linear pavement defect the geographic path oftravel of the GNSS handheld mapping device carried by the user at thepaved property is along a length of the linear pavement defect such thatthe geospatial information identifies the length of the linear pavementdefect based on the geographic path of travel, and wherein for a polygonpavement defect the geographic path of travel of the GNSS handheldmapping device carried by the user at the paved property is around aperimeter of the polygon pavement defect such that the geospatialinformation identifies the perimeter of the polygon pavement defectbased on the geographic path of travel; based on the survey datagathered by the GNSS handheld mapping device at the paved property,determine dimensional detail for each of the plurality of pavementdefects, wherein the dimensional detail comprises a defect length foreach of the linear pavement defects and the dimensional detail comprisesa defect area for each of the polygon pavement defects; select atreatment approach from the plurality of treatment approaches for eachof the plurality of pavement defects, wherein for each of the pluralityof pavement defects, the selected treatment approach is based at leastpartially on the dimensional detail of the pavement defect; and visuallyconvey on a map of the paved property geographic locations of each ofthe plurality of pavement defects.
 2. The system for pavement defecttracking of claim 1, wherein the GNSS handheld mapping device is aGPS-enabled handheld computing device operated at the paved property bya user.
 3. The system for pavement defect tracking of claim 2, furthercomprising the GPS-enable handheld computing device.
 4. The system forpavement defect tracking of claim 1, wherein the instructions furthercause the at least one processor to: receive pre-survey data, whereinthe pre-survey data identifies one or more pavement characteristics ofthe paved property, wherein the one or more pavement characteristicscomprise one or more of a building location, one or more pavementsegmentations, facility labels, and traffic conditions.
 5. The systemfor pavement defect tracking of claim 1, wherein the classificationinformation for one or more of the plurality of pavement defects furthercomprises a severity rating of the pavement defect.
 6. The system forpavement defect tracking of claim 1, wherein the survey data gathered atthe paved property comprises digital imagery for one or more of thepavement defects.
 7. The system for pavement defect tracking of claim 1,wherein selected treatment approach comprises a cost of treatment,wherein the cost of treatment is based at least partially on thedimensional detail of the pavement defect.
 8. The system for pavementdefect tracking of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause theat least one processor to: generate a bid package based on the surveydata, wherein the bid package identifies at least one of the pluralityof pavement defects and the selected treatment approach for of theidentified pavement defect.
 9. A system for pavement defect tracking,comprising: a GPS-enabled computing device, the GPS-enabled computingdevice moveable about a paved property by a user to collect survey data,wherein the survey data comprises geospatial information andclassification information for each of a plurality of pavement defects,wherein the geospatial information identifies a geographic path oftravel of the GPS-enabled computing device while carried by the user atthe paved property, and wherein the classification information comprisesan identification of the pavement defect as a linear pavement defect ora polygon pavement defect, wherein for a linear pavement defect thegeographic path of travel of the GNSS handheld mapping device carried bythe user at the paved property is along a length of the linear pavementdefect such that the geospatial information identifies the length of thelinear pavement defect based on the geographic path of travel, andwherein for a polygon pavement defect the geographic path of travel ofthe GNSS handheld mapping device carried by the user at the pavedproperty is around a perimeter of the polygon pavement defect such thatthe geospatial information identifies the perimeter of the polygonpavement defect based on the geographic path of travel; a pavementdefect management computing system, the pavement defect managementcomputing system comprising at least one processor and non-transitorycomputer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which whenexecuted by the at least one processor cause the at least one processorto: store a plurality of different treatment approaches in a memory;receive the survey data gathered by the GPS-enabled computing devicecarried by the user at the paved property; based on the survey data,determine dimensional detail for each of the plurality of pavementdefects, wherein the dimensional detail comprises a defect length foreach of the linear pavement defects and the dimensional detail comprisesa defect area for each of the polygon pavement defects; select atreatment approach from the plurality of treatment approaches for eachof the plurality of pavement defects, wherein for each of the pluralityof pavement defects, the geographic path of travel treatment approach isbased at least partially on the dimensional detail of the pavementdefect; and visually convey on a map of the paved property-geographiclocations of each of the plurality of pavement defects.
 10. The systemfor pavement defect tracking of claim 9, wherein the instructionsfurther cause the at least one processor to: receive pre-survey data,wherein the pre-survey data identifies one or more pavementcharacteristics of the paved property, wherein the one or more pavementcharacteristics comprise one or more of a building location, one or morepavement segmentations, facility labels, and traffic conditions.
 11. Thesystem for pavement defect tracking of claim 9, wherein theclassification information for one or more of the plurality of pavementdefects comprises a severity rating of the pavement defect.
 12. Thesystem for pavement defect tracking of claim 9, wherein the survey datais based on a path of travel of the GPS-enabled computing device.
 13. Acomputer-based method for pavement defect tracking, by a pavement defectmanagement computing system comprising instructions stored in a memory,which when executed by a processor of the pavement defect managementcomputing system, cause the pavement defect management computing systemto perform the method comprising: storing, by the pavement defectmanagement computing system, a plurality of different treatmentapproaches in a memory; receiving, at the pavement defect managementcomputing system, survey data gathered by a handheld data collectiondevice carried by a user at a paved property, wherein the survey datacomprises geospatial information and classification information for eachof a plurality of pavement defects, wherein the geospatial informationidentifies a geographic path of travel of the handheld data collectiondevice while carried by the user at the paved property along each ofplurality of pavement defects, and wherein the classificationinformation comprises an identification of the pavement defect as alinear pavement defect or a polygon pavement defect, and based on thesurvey data gathered by the handheld data collection device, determinedimensional detail for each of the plurality of pavement defects,wherein the dimensional detail comprises a defect length for each of thelinear pavement defects as determined by the user carrying the handhelddata collection device the length of the linear pavement defect and thedimensional detail comprises a defect area for each of the polygonpavement defects as determined by the user carrying the handheld datacollection device around the perimeter of the polygon pavement defect;selecting a treatment approach from the plurality of treatmentapproaches for each of the plurality of pavement defects, wherein foreach of the plurality of pavement defects, the selected treatmentapproach is based at least partially on the dimensional detail of thepavement defect; and visually convey on a map of the paved property ageographic location of each of the plurality of pavement defects. 14.The computer-based method for pavement defect tracking of claim 13,further comprising: receiving pre-survey data, wherein the pre-surveydata identifies one or more pavement characteristics of the pavedproperty, wherein the one or more pavement characteristics comprise oneor more of a building location, one or more pavement segmentations,facility labels, and traffic conditions.
 15. The computer-based methodfor pavement defect tracking of claim 13, wherein the classification forone or more of the plurality of pavement defects comprises a severityrating of the pavement defect.
 16. The computer-based method forpavement defect tracking of claim 15, further comprising: generating, bythe pavement defect management computing system, a bid package based onthe survey data, wherein the bid package identifies at least one of theplurality of pavement defects and the selected treatment approach forthe identified pavement defect.
 17. The computer-based method forpavement defect tracking of claim 13, wherein the handheld datacollection device is a GPS-enabled handheld computing device operated atthe paved property by a user.
 18. The computer-based method for pavementdefect tracking of claim 13, wherein the classification information forone or more of the plurality of pavement defects further comprises aseverity rating of the pavement defect.
 19. The computer-based methodfor pavement defect tracking of claim 13, wherein the survey datagathered at the paved property comprises digital imagery for one or moreof the pavement defects.
 20. The computer-based method for pavementdefect tracking of claim 13, wherein the selected treatment approachcomprises a cost of treatment, wherein the cost of treatment is based atleast partially on the dimensional detail of the pavement defect.